1.
dropping formalities; setting aside rank; party where everyone is equal
A gathering where the usual hierarchical etiquette between seniors and juniors is temporarily suspended, allowing everyone to relax and enjoy themselves as equals. Common at company drinking parties.
今日は無礼講で行きましょう。
Let's drop the formalities today.
部長が「無礼講だ」と言ったので、みんな気楽に飲み始めた。
The department head said 'no formalities tonight,' so everyone started drinking in a relaxed manner.
「無礼講」と言われても、本当に上司にタメ口を使ったら大変なことになる。
Even if they say 'no formalities,' you'd be in big trouble if you actually used casual speech with your boss.
USAGE:
無礼講 literally means "no-rudeness lecture" — a gathering where rudeness (breaking rank) is permitted. It is commonly declared at company 飲み会 (drinking parties) and 忘年会 (year-end parties).
IMPORTANT CULTURAL NOTE:
In practice, 無礼講 is often a polite fiction. While the boss may declare the gathering 無礼講, employees are still expected to maintain a degree of respect. Truly dropping all formality with superiors can still cause problems.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- 無礼講で行く (to go with no formalities)
- 無礼講だと言う (to declare it a no-formalities event)
- 今夜は無礼講 (tonight there are no formalities)